AUGUST 2008...DR. MARK BRIDGEN ANNOUNCES FINAL APPROVAL OF PLANS  FOR THE NEW GARDEN TOOL SHEDTO THE CORNELL GARDENERS.tHE TOOL SHED  WILL INCLUDE  A LIVING  ROOF.

A Living Roof
Called an eco-roof, garden roof, living roof, or vegetated roof. A green roof is a lightweight, layered roofing system that allows virtually maintenance-free plants to top a waterproofed substructure.

THE GARDEN TOOL SHED MODEL SPECIFIES A SLOPED ROOF DESIGN WHICH WILL CREATE A FOCAL POINT FOR THE SHEDS   LIVING  GREEN ROOF.

GARDEN TOOL SHED MODEL SIDE AND SLOPEDTOP VIEW DESIGNED BY BILL(SEATED FAR LEFT)

BILL (ON RIGHT), JOHN AND JERRY PREPARE TO LEVEL THE GRADE OF NEW SHED SITE USING GRAVEL.

JOHN AND LADDY LAY OUT  4"X4" X 16' OF PRESSURE TREATED LUMBER TO MAKE A 16 FOOT X 16 FOOT  FRAME.

FOUNDATION FRAME IS ON GRADED LEVELED ROCK TO SUPPORT A FLOOR. JOIST FRAME  IS FOR THE SHED FLOOR  AND WALLS TO SIT ON.

LAYOUT AND ATTACHING FLOOR  JOISTS TO FOUNDATION FRAME

FINISHED FLOOR FRAME ATTACHED TO FOUNDATION FRAME.

BILL DISCUSSES FINISHED FLOOR FRAMING WITH DR.MARK BRIDGEN BEFORE FLOOR AND WALLS ARE CONSTRUCTED. 

FLOOR, BACK AND SIDE WALLS ARE CONSTRUCTED. THE LARGE OPENING WILL BE A DOUBLE ENTRY DOOR WITH A RAMP FOR EASY ACCESS.

 OUTSIDE VIEW OF BACK WALL WHICH IS ANGLED ABOUT 30 DEGREES TO CREATE A SLOPE IN THE ROOF TO ALLOW FOR A BETTER VIEW OF THE LIVING GREEN ROOF FROM THE GARDEN GROUNDS.

BILL IS CHECKING PLANS BEFORE INSTALLING THE FRONT WALL.

VICTOR IS HOLDING UP THE DOORWAY OF THE PARTIALLY FINISHED FRONT WALL FRAME, AS BILL AND JERRY SECURE THE  WALL FRAME TO FLOOR DECK.

KEN AND JERRY COMPLETE THE FRONT WALL AS BILL MAKES FINAL INSPECTION.

FINISHED FRAMED WALLS ARE READY TO ACCEPT PORCH POSTS

3 PORCH POSTS AND BRACING ARE IN PLACE. JERRY AND LADDY CARRY 2X10s TO MAKE THE ROOF HEADER WHICH SITS ON TOP OF THE PORCH POSTS TO ACCEPT ROOF RAFTERS TO SUPPORT THE LIVING GREEN ROOF.

THE 16 FOOT LONG ROOF HEADER IS ATTACHED TO PORCH POSTS,  READY TO ACCEPT ROOF RAFTERS.

JERRYAND LADDY INSTALL THE FIRST ROOF RAFTER AS KEN,BILL, JOHN AND SUE LOOK ON.

BILL CHECKS HIS DESIGN DETAILS AND MEASURES FOR NEXT RAFTER.

BILL EXPLAINS TO KEN,LADDY,JOHN AND JERRY HOW THE ROOF RAFTER MUST BE ADJUSTED ON AN ANGLE TO CREATE A SLOPE IN THE ROOF, WHICH WILL ALLOW THE GREEN ROOF TO BE VIEWED EASILY FROM THE GROUND.

Green roofs or Eco-roofs help to purify the air by absorbing pollutants and  soak up rainwater, thereby reducing storm-water runoff that pollutes rivers and streams; it keeps a rooftop 10 to 20 degrees cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, which means lowered air conditioning and heating bills, fewer fossil fuels wasted, and a healthier environment. Green roofs also allow creative types to show some personality, with plant choices and inventive designs.

A CLAMP ADJUSTS THE ANGLE OF EACH ROOF RAFTER TO CREATE THE SLOPE.

KEN INSTALLS A RAFTER.

JOHN USES A 2X4 TO MAKE A SAFETY SUPPORT FOR THE LAST RAFTER INSTALLED.

ALL ROOF RAFTERS ARE INSTALLED.

Bill instructs Jerry and John as to final details before the roof deck is installed.Valerie assists Jerry.  

The rafters are ready to accept new 3/4 inch 4' x 8' plywood roof deck.

Bill,John and Jerry discuss the placement of the first sheet of plywood roof decking. 

Bill keeps an eye  on  roof decking installation..

Bill places joist supports between each roof rafter before final plywood roof deck board is installed.

Inside the shed.the roof deck is installed we are ready for asphalt roof installation.

Dr.Mark Bridgen, Bill, John and Jerry discuss final details before roof installation.

If you're thinking that green roofs are some kind of tree-hugging, 21st-century eco-design trend, think again. The earliest settlers of the Great Plains lived in sod houses. So did 18th-century Germans and 12th-century Icelanders, who carved these sod-covered homes out of hillsides; they found that the pesky vegetation that grew naturally on their rooftops provided needed insulation. Today, green roofs are mandatory for new buildings in some European countries. In the late '90s, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley began searching for ways to reduce his city's urban heat-island effect, which occurs when dark surfaces such as parking lots and rooftops absorb and retain heat, spiking local air temperature and increasing smog. In 2001, he added a 21,000-square-foot green roof to the top of Chicago City Hall. The mayors of Atlanta and Portland, Oregon, have since followed suit.

Be creative!

Ken Mohring displays a green roof panel  that will be planted with sedum on the green roof on top of Cornell Gardeners tool shed. Green roof panel systems are being donated by MetroGreenVisions  

in cooperation with the Plant Connection, located on Sound ave in Riverhead N.Y. A special thank you to Anthony Caggiano and Melissa Daniels at Plant Connection 631-722-8111, for their help getting our green roof project started, and  introducing us to Metro Green Visions.

Some varieties of sedum that will be used on Cornell Gardeners green roof.

Tarp protects roof plwood from rain.

John makes final cut to make sure roof plywood is flush to wall to accept facia board. Bill makes a final cut  to prepare for facia boards. Facia boards provide a finished look as well as a space to start first piece of siding.

John attends to last minute details.

Facia boards are applied. Shed is ready for roof. Then walls are covered with felt paper as a vapor barrier.Siding will follow.

Millie admires finished front and side facia boards.The 2x6 inch facia boards are used instead of the usual 1x4 inch boards.The reason is they are used is to accomodate future installation of the green roof. Bill always thinks ahead.

Shed viewed from garden.

John starts to install  drip edge which will shed rain water coming off the roof and away  from the shed walls.

Bill and John discuss final details of drip edge installation.A Roll of asphalt roofing lays next to John and will be installed securely with tar over the drip edge and the plywood roof.

John applies tar to one half of the asphalt roofing as Jay holds down the next asphalt sheet from blowing away as winds are ever present.

Asphalt roofing is laid perpendicular to the rafters allowing nailing every 10 inches. Lumber prevents wind from lifting up asphalt.

Margaret gives her stamp of approval of newly finished roof.

John and Bill discuss how to keep the gravel that was used for the foundation, from coming out from underneath the shed.John would like to see a clean edge around the shed.

Asphalt roof  extends over the side of the shed. The roof needs a few days of sun to melt the tar to the plywood before overlapping edges can be trimmed off of each side of the shed.30 lb felt paper is applied to the finished shed walls to get ready for vinyl siding.

Dan and John apply felt paper to protect exterior walls from moisture, and prepare rough openings for new windows and doors.

Victor smiles for the camera as he staples felt paper to exterior walls.

Bill explains next phase of shed construction to Dr. Bridgen as Jerry and Victor look on.

Bill and Jerry point out roof detail to Dr. Bridgen.

Jerry and Laddy watch Bill as he cuts 2x4 to frame new openings for new windows on rear wall.

Bill cuts wood for Laddy to install extra framing for a new window.

Jerry cuts a hole, from inside for the new window that Laddy just finished framing.

Jerry trims new window cut out. Felt paper can now be applied to sheathing and window cut outs, to prepare for the new windows and siding.

We ran out of felt paper, so Laddy uses scraps which allows us to install new windows while waiting for new felt paper to be ordered.

Dan  holds new door frame as Bill prepares rough door frame opening.

Bill fits the new pressure treated door frame as Dan looks on. Special attention is given to the reveal of the door frame that will accept the correct thickness of the new vinyl siding.

Jerry looks on as Bill checks new door frame for plumb which will ensure that the new door opens and closes properly.

John points out  his work to Jane.

John installs and checks new window for plumb.

Vince looks on as Victor poses for the camera. Boards are going to be placed on the edges of the roof to help adhere the new asphalt tar roof to the plywood.

John poses for the camera as he installs new door.

Bill starts to trim off excess asphalt roofing to make a new edge.

New front windows and door are installed. Side wall is waiting for felt paper and new window to be installed.

Inside the shed, new windows and door picture- frame new view of the gardens.

John on the right, Bill and Jerry,discuss new ramp for the shed door with Ben who is in charge of the Cornell grounds.

John on the left installs steel Hurricane straps that create a continuous connection from stud to stud. Jerry prepares rough window opening for new window. 

Bill modifies new window, as Jerry completes rough window opening frame.

Hurricane straps are installed to insure continuous connection from header to porch pole, which will prevent the header from upheaving from the pole in event of a wind or hurricane. Metal strapping, by code, will be installed to the roof rafters, porch header, and porch floor to prevent wind lift. Tie downs from the shed to the ground are also required by code.

Pat hands Laddy final piece of felt paper to form a vapor barrier.The  shed  is now ready for vinyl siding.

Victor on the left and Dan adjust a lazer level that will be used to establish a level line on all four shed walls. The line will be used as a reference  that will ensure the installation of the  vinyl siding is straight and level on all four walls of the shed.

A red chalk line goes around the shed, and will be used as a reference line for vinyl siding installation. Next the middle of each stud must be marked with a vertical chalk line on the exterior of the shed walls. 

Bill and Dan level and plumb the first of four vinyl corner boards,that will accept vinyl clapboard siding. The corner boards must be level and plumb which will ensure that the vinyl clapboard siding is level,plumb and square and pleasing to the eye.

After corner channels and a level reference line is established around the four walls of the shed, John and Dan mark the location of each stud with a vertical chalk line.This will allow vinyl clapboards to be nailed securely. 

Next all windows get a second layer of protection from moisture,using plastic garbage bags installed over the felt paper.The bottom piece is applied first,then the two side pieces and finally the top piece goes in place over the two sides.This will insure that the water runs away from the inside walls.

Next step is to put a 'J' channel around all openings, windows,doors, and vents. A J channel is installed on the bottom,then the two sides and finally the top.  A small tab is cut on each side of the top piece of J channel and the two sides. The tab is then folded into the bottom J channel and the top of the two side pieces of J channel which will insure water runs away from the windows.The J channel provides a clean edge for the vinyl clapboards.

Susan on the right welcomes Katie to her first day at Cornell Gardens by taking her for a tour of the gardens.They stop to admire the shed and pose for the camera.

Bill and Jerry give advice to Laddy about the right way to install the J channel around the window.

Bill measures the J channel to be installed around the door opening. Laddy, Dan and Jerry look on.

A meeting is held to discuss the installation of the first piece of vinyl clapboard.The bottom piece will go in first. It must be level and plumb and installed at the right height to allow all the other boards to fall into place and be pleasing to the eye.

The first piece is layed out and marked to be cut. The cut is done very slowly to insure no chips or cracks are  made on the vinyl, Bill uses a chop saw. The colder it gets the more brittle the vinyl gets and the harder it is to work with.

Bill cuts the vinyl and Laddy brings the first piece of vinyl to be installed by Jerry and John. It is a four man team.

Laddy looks on as Jerry and John get started with  the first shed wall.

Bill installs a J  channel that will accept the last piece of vinyl on the first wall.The last piece of vinyl fits under the facia board for a clean  look.

John on the right, points out the final detail of  the last piece of vinyl claboard to Bill and Jerry.

The first shed wall is now complete.Next, the door will be installed and a   ramp will be  constructed.

Ken uses a chisel to clean the edge of the window, to insure the vinal "J" channel can be  installed level and plumb around the window frame.

The front facade is now ready for the J channel to be placed around the windows and door, to accept vinyl clapboard siding.

Shed viewed from the garden.

Valarie,Ken,Dan and Jerry start to install vinyl on east wall of the shed.

 Valarie,Ken,Dan and Jerrry work together to attach and level new vinyl clapboard to  the previous piece of clapboard as Vince sets the first nail.

Jim and Pat start to level  and install a starter strip on the south wall.  The metal starter will accept the first piece of vinyl clapboard. The starter strip placement will insure vinyl clapboards are level and line up with vinyl clapboards on the ajacent east wall(on the right).

Metal starter strip is installed, and Pat staples edge of felt paper to make sure it is flat to the wall and will not get in the way of attaching one piece of vinyl to another.

On the east wall Jerry and Ken  finish nailing one piece of clapboard. Dan and Valerie start with a 4foot piece of clapboard that will be seamed with a standard 12 foot length.

Ken installs cut pieces of vinyl on side of the window as Jerry and Valarie look on.

Bill sets the next piece of vinyl on the chop saw,and starts to cut very slowly to ensure no chips or cracks to the vinyl .Bill is the master cutter for all the vinyl boards.

Jerry re-adjusts J channel around a window to insure next piece of clapboard is level.

After J channel around the window is adjusted, Jerry makes marks where next piece of vinyl needs to be cut.

Ken holds the ladder for  Jerry. In the background Bill,Jim and Pat discuss finishing details installing vinyl on the south wall.

East wall is finished,and everyone moves on to finish the south wall.Notice how the vinal clapboards on the corner of the east wall are level with the clapboards on the corner of the south wall.

Jim at far left, Jerry and Pat fit cut piece of vinyl around the window, on the south wall.

Jim uses a level to ensure seamed piece of vinyl is level with each other and pleasing to the eye. 

Jim fits small  piece of vinyl under facia board, making sure it is level  and plumb and the seam is offset from previous seam.

Jerry on the left, hands Jay  a small piece of vinyl to use as a template to make sure the final  piece of vinyl is cut right and  fits perfectly.

South shed wall is now finished.

Front facade of shed is next to be worked on. First, will be to move the scalfold from the inside to the front porch,to install the J channel for the soffit(ceiling).

Laddy to the right and Jerry on the left move Jim along, as he installs J channel that will receive soffit vinyl clapboards that will run perpendicular to the shed wall.

Jim finishes placing the white J channel  around the ceiling and moves to the front to install the first piece of vinyl into the J channel to start the soffit.

Jim looks at the end of the double header and decides to finish the end of the header to make it more pleasing to the eye.Jerry gets a tape for Jim to take a measurement of the side of the header.Jerry brings the measurement to Bill who will create a decorative cap for the end of the header that will be installed after the soffit is finished.

With the J channel in place Jim quickly slides the cut pieces of vinyl in place. Jim makes sure to take measurements of the vinyl as the ceiling may not be square as he moves along.

With the soffit in place, a decorative header cap is installed.

Next on the check list, Bill wants to make a custom side door for the shed which will be used to get wheel barrows and carts into the shed. Ken watches Bill as he cuts the stiles and rails for the door, which will be made out of birch wood.

Bill lays out rails and stiles onto the birch plywood as Pat looks on. The  bottom half of the outside of the door will have "X" bracing. Bill contemplates the complex angel that has to be cut to create the "X" bracing.

Rails and stiles are layout and must be glueed and nailed. Pat nails first piece of "X" bracing after pl200 adhesive chaulk is applied to make sure the board does not move.

To ensure the integrity of the door and to make sure the boards are held together and do not warp,  Ken uses a biscuit saw which cuts a perpendicular slot where the stiles and rails are attached.Glue is applied to each slot and a wood biscuit  is place in the slot to make a secure connection with the rail.

Pat uses the biscuit saw on the style and the rail.

With the rails and stiles installed, Bill dry fits final piece of "X" bracing, as  Ken and Pat get ready to make the installation final by applying glue and nails. Next the door is turned over and screws will be drilled into the back of the rails and stiles  and  more rails  and stiles will be added to cover the screws and insure the integrity of the door.

The door is now ready to be primed.Margaret uses a roller to apply a primer that will help seal the door from moisture and ensure the paint adheres to the wood.

Barbara follows Margaret with a brush to get the primer in the spots the roller missed.  

As fall approaches,the pumpkins are ready for pickin!

Dan picks and loads some pumpkins to share with  the Cornell Gardeners.

With the soffit installed the front facade is ready for vinyl siding.The first metal strip is installed on the bottom of the wall by Pat,John and Dan. Bill with his back turned is cutting the first piece of vinyl that will be attached to the medal starter strip on the bottom of the wall.

Pat looks on as John makes marks where vinyl needs to be cut to install around the window and look pleasing to the eye.

 John holds vinyl securely for Dan as he prepares to make cuts on the chop saw,to allow for the window frame. Cutting vinyl is a slow procedure as it chips very easy, especially in colder weather. 

Dan assists John as he finishes cutting the piece of vinyl to fit around the window frame. John makes the cut by hand with a pair of tin snips, as Pat waits to help install the piece around the window frame.Cutting  vinyl  is time- sensitive detail.

To move things along Bill steps in and cuts vinyl for two teams of installers. Bill has to  make sure each piece of vinyl is the right length, as the doorway is not exactly centered on the front wall.These details are time consuming.

As the vinyl is being installed, Jay begins to apply an oil base stain to new 4x4 porch posts that will replace two warped porch posts. The oil stain is applied to all exposed wood and is meant to accelerate the natural weathering or greying of the wood, to make it more pleasing to the eye.

Margaret and Remee joint the paint crew and apply final coat of stain to the porch posts.

Dan brings last piece of vinyl for John to install as Bill,Laddy and Vince make sure the vinyl is pleasing to the eye.

With the front facade finished, Remee and Margaret recruit two more painters. Judy on left and Anita on right begin to stain the porch posts that will  remain. 

Jay continues to apply the greying stain to all facia boards and wood window frames.

Anita, is the newest member of Cornell Gardeners and takes a break from gardening to join the paint crew.

Vince keeps a watchfull eye out to make sure all the various installations are pleasing to the eye.

As the outside painting and vinyl is being completed attention shifts to  inside shed. Laddy begins installing metal hurricane straps to connect the 2x10 beams to the framing studs making a uninturrupted  connection to the floor, which will be connected to the foundations with additional metal hurricane strapping.This will insure  the structure has integrity.

Dan measures for the next hurricane strap, as the wall follows the pitch and angle of the roof, each piece of strapping has to be measured to the right length.

John takes a measurement to make final  cut and install a header that is  laying down on the bench,as Vince and Dan wait to lend their support. The header will be the first part of additional support to the shed in the event of a hurricane or other potential weather event.

Pat looks on as John and Laddy install header.

Bill hammers  the header in place, as it is a tight fit.

Laddy holds the other end of the header in place,as Bill sets the other end of the header in place. This header must be level and secured to the wall and ready to accept the cross beams that will attach to the opposite wall.

With the header in place, John installs the first cross beam(joist) and  attaches it to the header and a stud and  then attaches it to the opposite wall to give the building added structural integrity. The cross beams will also create the opportunity for a storage area.  

Laddy holds the other end of the new joist as Bill looks on. Notice the already installed header that the new joist will be attached to and inturn will be attached to a stud as well.This will insure the buildings integrity and will make sure the building will  not rack in a weather event.

John uses a power nailer to install a joist to the header and the stud as Dan smiles for the camera.The next joist will enable the  space to be used for overhead storage.

Bill begins to install the shed door, which has to be custom fit to the rough opening.

Bill measures the rough opening for the door and determines that the bottom of the door must be trimmed (cut )before the door can be put in place and make final adjustments. Hinges,door knob and reveal must be considerd.

With the door trimmed Bill and Dan try it fit the door in the rough opening.

Laddy is on the other side of the door and helps Bill make final adjustments to ensure the door fits nicely.

As Dan and Laddy hold the door Bill inserts a wedge to allow the door to open freely and not hit the floor of the shed as it swings open.

With the final adjustments made, Bill installs temporary hinges and a latch to the new door, to ensure the shed is weather tight. Bill is waiting for new decorative door hardware to be delivered. Having the right materials at the right time is a big part of any construction project.

Laddy as he holds the door for Bill,answers his phone and gets the suprise announcement that his ninth grand child has just been delivered.He says," that completes his boy-girl base ball team".

Laddy tests the door to make sure it opens and closes freely.

The new door is installed and waits for new paint and decorative hardware(hinges,and doorlatch) to be done .

A ramp will also be installed to allow a garden cart to be rolled in and stored in the shed.

A front view of the shed shows, the natural weathering of the wood facia boards that was created using the oil stain. Notice the two porch columns are weatherd on the left and the two warped porch colums on the right awaiting  replacement. The porch floor will be installed after the new proch columns are put in place. Then the floor will be stained to give it a natural weathered look to match the facia and trim boards.The new vinyl front facade and the new door gives the shed a finished look.

A close up look of the  vinyl applied to the front facade of the shed, that appears to be pleasing to the eye. Next the crooked porch post will be replaced and allowing the porch deck to be installed.

Dr. Bridgen center, Ken on the left and Bill discuss the final details of completing the shed.An official inspection will follow. It is determined that there are two items that must be addressed. First the hurricane strapping installation was not up to par and second the  vinal clapboard installation was not pleasing to the eye.

The first thing that has to be done to correct the hurricane strapping installation is to remove a 2x10 inch x 16 foot support header. Removing the header will allow access to remove the hurricane strapping that must be replaced. Hurricane strapping must be installed to make a continuous connection with  all the wood elements, headers,studs, floor joists and support beams.

John on the left and Jerry start to remove the support header to gain access to remove old hurricane straps and install new hurricane straps before final inspection is done. This is a time consuming project. The  most common mistake that is made in most construction projects is to try and get things done quickly and  most times attention to details is overlooked.

Making corrections before final inspection reqires  efforts  the efforts and cooperation of the whole team. John on the right holds new hurricane strap in place to show Ben(Cornell Grounds Keeeper) that the new strapping will be done perfectly.

The next issue making sure the vinyl installation is pleasing to the eye, will require the north side vinal  wall to be taken down because it does not match up with the vinyl on the east and west walls. Laddy and Bill take the nails out of the vinyl as Dan waits to slide the vinal out of the "J" channel nice and easy as the vinyl will be re installed after the starter strip is relocated and leveled to the east and west wall to insure a level installation that will result in a finished look that is pleasing to the eye.

With all the vinyl removed, Bill re installs metal starter strip to be level with the east and west walls starter strip to insure   vinyl will be level and pleasing to the eye. Now the vinyl can be re-installed.

 With the vinyl re- installed, Bill makes a final cut to the bottom of the vinyl corner board resulting in a more pleasing look to the eye. The cut will make the vinyl clapboards level with the  vinyl  corner board.Dan looks on and gives his approval.

The new door for the north wall waits for the final coat of paint and will be installed next week.

Next Bill directs Laddy to replace the crooked porch post with a new post that will enable the team to start to install the porch decking.

With all the porch post in place Bill marks  a 2x6 inch x 16 feet,decking board to be cut to fit around each of the four porch  posts.

Ken begins to make the cuts to the deck board that will fit around the porch post.

With all four cut outs made, it is time to install the board around the posts.

Bill insures Ken that additional cutting is not needed,just a little hammer banging will help to set the deck board in place around the post.

Once in place, Ken uses the nail gun to fasten the new deck board in place. Now all the deck boards can finally be installed.

Bill instructs Ken and Jerry on how to leave equal spacing of new deck boards. Bill suggests a larger amount of space between deck boards to full up the remaing space equally, so an additional  cutting of a new deck board will not be needed. Bill points out that there will be no ladies in high heels waling on the porch, so the spacing between boards can be a little wider.

John looks on as Ken uses nail gun to install all decking boards in their final place. Decking is now ready for weathering  acceleration stain. You can not paint pressure treated wood.

A team meeting is called to discuss all the changes that have been made.  Next week a punch list will be made to detail what things have to be done.The final inspection is coming up  shortly.

Ben on the left gets a shed update from Bill and Jerry.

Jerry on left holds a 16 ft 2x10 inch beam that was removed from west wall,as Bill begins to make cuts on  the beam that will accept the profile of the hurricane straps to enable the beam to be installed at the right height to maintain the integrity of the structure, in the event of a hurricane or other unforseen weather condition. Notice that the beam is sitting outside the shed through the window, eliminating the need to take down other support headers  to  remove the beam in order for Bill to make his cuts.

Bill makes several cuts on the beam to match up with the profile of the hurricane straps.

A picture of the re- installed 16 ft 2x10 inch beam and hurricane straps.Notice how the beam sits under the roof joists (which are connected to the wall studs with hurricanestraps)and the structural support beams are directly under the 16 ft 2x10 inch reinstalled beam, which adds additional support to the structure. Bill's cuts allowed the 16 ft beam to be installed directly under the roof joists creating one continous structure.

While the work goes on in the shed, other gardeners start to remove the overgrown butterfly bushes in the butterfly garden.The overgrown bushes were shading out and stunting the growth of other plants int the garden.

After the butterfly bushes are removed the garden path in the butterfly garden is exposed and the existing plants are bathing in the sun. Perennials have to be divided every few years.

Leaha takes time for a coffee break with Bill.

The camera catches Elizabeth and Leaha as they make a rest stop...

Dan gets a hug from Leaha..

Wayne takes a moment to report that he readjusted the the sprinklers that were watering the front porch of the shed. The  green shed has become a real community project.

New garden cart arrives just in time.

Now that the shed is weather tight the garden cart has a new home.,.Easy to move around with pneumatic wheels(solid rubber) the cart is a welcome addition to Cornell gardeners tools.

Jay installs temporary latch that will keep door closed and the shed weather tight.

With the new door installed, the next task is design  a ramp that will enable the new garden cart to be stored in the shed with mimimun effort.

Ben on the right, building and grounds supervisor holds Bill's plans for the ramp and sorts out the details of installing the ramp next to the border of the weed garden.

As the ramp plans are finalized, Vince helps Bill separate the new metal hurricane stakes that will be installed in the ground and attached to each corner of the shed with a lag bolt. This is another layer of safety in the event of servere winds or a hurricane.

Bill starts to install the metal hurricane stakes by screwing them into the ground. This will require some work.

Bill takes the first step in making the ramp, which is to center the ramp to the doorway.Jerry holds the pressure treated wood waiting for Bill's measurement which he will then begin cutting. The 2x10 inch wood is used to make sleepers that will be laid on the ground on a bed of gravel. The gravel will reduce the amount of water the sleepers lie in and  will allow for drainage.Reducing the water will increase life of the wood foundation.  

With the first board cut Bill measures to insure the top of the new ramp will be level with the shed floor. Jerry waits to start installing the board to the shed and begin building.

A level line must be drawn on the shed before the first board can be installed.

With the height of the ramp measured and a level line drawn,Jerry must now remove some of the gravel to insure the first board is installed at the right height. level and square of the ramp. John uses a piece of copper pipe to start installing the hurricane stake into the ground, which is done by screwing the stake in. The first board is critical in establishing the height.

Bill holds the first board at level as Jerry centers it to the doorway,and  starts to nail it to the shed. 

With the first board installed under the shed door, Jerry and John begin the installation of the 2x10 inch sleeper boards which is laid down as a footing and the 4x4 inch posts are laid and leveled on top of the sleepers(2x10 inch boards) which rest on the gravel gravel base.Now the wood framing will create a box that will accept the wood decking of the ramp.

John checks the  sleepers and 4x4 inch frame board for level. If it is out of level, the decking boards,and the frame will all have problems later on in the final installation.

With everything level Bill places the first board on top of the foundation as Pat confirms that the  cut of the board fits snug aginst the shed, as John and Jerry look on.

With  the box completed the support joist are installed.

Dan  nails off the joists as John fills in the box with gravel which will reduce weeds and increase water drainage.

Valerie takes a break waiting to shovel some gravel into the ramp area. Gravel is used as a footing for the pressure treated wood that will form the fountation for the ramp to sit on. 

With the box created, Bill starts to lay out the first ramp section. A small 4x4 inch x 8 foot post is nailed to the corner of the box and will be used to support and maintain level of the first support for the ramp.

Valarie adds the gravel as Dan levels the rocks creating a footing for the new ramp area.

Bill and Jerry discuss the next step to install the 4x4 framing boards for the ramp as Dan looks on. 

It is decided that a trench must be dug, in order to have the ramp be level with the adjoining pathway which will insure a safe transition from the ground to the ramp. John begins to dig as Jerry and Dan start to level the area and Bill brings the 4x4  lumber to create the support structure for the ramps decking.

The 4x4 inch by 8 feet posts are now attached to a leger board that insures the ramp decking will be level with decking on top of the box which will create a an entry deck to the shed.

Ben on the right stops  by to see how things are going. Once the 4x4 are installed 2x6 inch decking can be cut and installed to finish the first ramp.

It must be time for a coffee break.

Victor takes a moment to pose for the camera as he starts to dig a ditch that will begin the installation of the second ramp on the other side of the box, creating a two directional ramp and garden walkway.

Valerie brings decking (2x8 inch)boards to Bill for cutting. Pressure treated wood does not come cut in exact lengths, so before cutting all boards must be squared off to insure proper measurements and minimze waste.  

Victor with his back turned continues digging his ditch. Jerry finishes installing the decking boards as the first section of the ramp takes shape.

With the first section of the ramp  completed, attention focuses on the second part of the ramp. The 4 x 4 posts are laid out on the ground and Vic finishes the ditch that will insure the top of the ramp is level with with ground.

The girls take a break from gardening, Millie on the left, chats with Marge (Cornell Gardeners secratary) about the upcoming hoiliday luncheon.Food is a big part of gardening

Jim,Cornell Gardeners vice pesident starts up the new computer to see if we have an internet connection.

Jerry uses a power nailer with galvanized 8 penny nails that will not rust. Pat brings Jerry another decking board as the ramp starts to take shape. 

Vics ditch is complete and John installs 4x4inch by 8 foot posts that are used as  framing boards on a gravel bed and checks for level, as Jerry trims off the excess decking insuring a clean edge.

Susan poses for the camera as Jerry lays out the framing for the last part of the ramp as John and Dan make sure everthing is level and square before the decking is applied.

Millie comes to see what everyone is looking at..It seems that in the haste to get things done, the leger board that the framing sits on was installed a little high(not level) and nailed in every six inches with the power nailer so moving it or making it level was not an option. So a decesion has to be made before the decking boards can be installed properly, which means they are level with the other decking boards.

It is decided to use a chisel to remove some of the wood on the framing boards, allowing for the decking boards to be installed level. Jerry starts the process.

Jerry uses the power nailer to complete decking board installation.

Susan,Millie and Bill look on as Jerry trims off the excess decking boards to create a clean edge, and John cleans up the gravel.  

With the ramp complete Millie gets the wheel barrow to test the ramp out.

Millie brings in the wheel barrow as Susan asks about  the Hurricane strap on the corner of the shed. 

Notice the hurricane strap which was screwed into the ground about 18 to 24 inches and attached to the shed with a galvinized 8 inch lag bolt, creating an additional layer of safety from severe weather events.

Ben stops by for a stauus report on the ramp and is surprised to see it finished so quickly.

Clean up is done and the ramp is finished. It is decided that the finishing touch will be to cover up the opening  on the bottom side of the ramp to insure no critters set up house keeping there.

Vince and Bill looks on as John starts to prepare area for planting.

It is decided that the gravel will be pushed back under the shed and a 2x6 x 16 foot board will be nailed to the shed to keep the gravel in place.

John finishes nailing the board to the shed using the excess weed fabric to create a clean edge to the new planting bed.

Dan gets some soil that will level the new planting bed behind the shed.

The wheel barrow is loaded and ready to go---but will have to wait until after coffee. 

The new plant bed will need more soil. Next we must  decide what plants will be planted and thrive in this south/east exposure.

Jane carries her cardoon plant which she will  prepare for dinner.

Susan on the left and Dee on  their way to the compost bin.

A roof repair is needed.

 After re-taring the asphalt roofing, a cynder block assures a good bond is made with the asphalt the tar and the roof deck. Keeping a water tight seal is very important.

Dan passes storage boxes to Jerry who stores them in the rafters.

Left over wood is stored in the rafters. Organizing and clean up of the shed begins.

Bill made a "jig" that he will use as a guide, to drill a set of holes on an angel  that will accept medal pegs.The pegs will allow tools to be stored on them. One 2x6 inch x 5 foot board is nailed 6 feet off the ground and will have various sets of pegs installed  for longer tools like shovels and rakes.

Bill sets the "jig" for the next set of pegs as Dan looks on. Notice the 2x6 inch board on Bills right installed at a lower level for shorter tools.

Metal pegs are installed and are used to hold ladders and a can of tar.With everthing off the floor it is time to prime the floor and get it ready for painting.

Victor and Dan use the garden cart to empty the shed and sort leftover wood.The wood will be re used for a new project

After measuring the distance from the porch to the ground which is about 12 inches, it is decided to add another step which will  ease the transition from the porch to the ground. Bill starts to layout the design for the new step using left over wood.

Dr. Bridgen(in the red hood) takes us on a field trip to meet with Tony Caggiano(on the right) of the Plant Connection, on Sound Ave in Riverhead, N.Y..  Tony's company installs green roof panels. Tony will donate the growing medium and some varieties of sedum plants for our green roof panels. Tony was also able to get the green roof panels donated from MetroGreen Visions.Tony explains how the green roof panels overlap one another as John and Dr.Bridgen look down at the panels exposed edge. The overlapping of the panels using the exposed edge must be considered when you calulate the square feet of your roof  and the total number of panels needed. When installing the interlocking panels, you must make sure that each panel is installed the same way. When you look at our finshed installation,(which will be a 16ftX16ft square roof) there should only be two exposed edges. The only exposed edges of the installation of our panels will be the top edge line and the right side edge line of our roof installation, which will insure the panels are installed correctly and are not seceptable to high winds and will not move. The two exposed edges will be covered with larger rocks to help secure it to the roof. Tony will direct us when we install our sedum planted panels on the roof.

Dr. Bridgen kneels down at the Plant Connection's yard to inspect Tony's panels that are already planted with sedum. Our panels will be planted in the same manner  to make up our green roof on the new cornell shed.Tony (on the right) looks on and answers any questions about the green roof panels. 

The mound on the right is the growing medium that Tony will donate to us. The growing medium will enable us to preplant our panels with sedum. We will preplant our panels in a hoop house around april 1 st to enable the sedum to establish a root system before we install the green panels on our shed roof. Notice the large amount of gravel that makes up the mixture.This will allow good drainage and also help hold down the panels on our roof.

These sedum at the Plant Connection on Sound ave in Riverhead N.Y. are already planted in the green roof panels.Notice the edge of the green roof panels on the bottm right edge of this picture.

At the Plant Connection, on Sound Ave, rows of sedum are preplanted in the roof panels.Some basic criteria for choosing plants for your green roof are;drought tolerant,non evasive.low growing and strong root growth.  

A close-up of the sedum reveals a serious problem!WEEDS!Once a weed establishes it self it is hard to remove it,especially on top of your roof. With that in mind, the Cornell Gardeners must re think access to the roof on their shed roof,in order to maintain the weeds.Intial discussions include,installing a skylight in the middle of the roof that will give access to the middle of the roof. Installing ladders on top of the roof, before the panels are installed,that can be used as walkways.It is determined that you can walk or crawl on the sedum once it is installed. Stepping stones are considered to create walkways. Installing built in ladders on varoius sides of the building to allow access to the green roof.

Other considerations  when planning our green roof will include color and texture. Notice the yellow colored sedum in the middle of the field.These are flowers on the plants which are quite pleasing to the eye. However when the flowering is done the spent flowers are not so pleasing to the eye, and would usually be dead headed if the sedum were on the ground.

Experimenting with your plant choices might include, choosing plants that are salt tolerant, if you live in coastal area.Our garden group will experiment with varoius plants to use on our shed roof, that will be drought tolerant,low growing, flowering with texture and design.  Jane will do some research over the winter,and come up with a list of plants too consider. We will start some plants in the green house in late February. We will layout the roof panels and full them with the growing medium in a hoop house.Using a hoop house(a green house without heat)  will allow us to plant the roof panels early, sometime in late March.Then we will plan to install the panels on our shed roof sometime in late May.This method will allow the plant roots to establish and create a root matrix in the growing medium, reducing the possablity of the growing medium  washing away in a storm. The 3foot by 3foot pre planted  panels will then be stacked on a wood pallet and moved with a hi low to be unloaded onto the shed roof.

We are now ready to make the  new step.Bill decides to make the step the lenght of the porch(16feet) by 6and1/2 inches high by 14 inches wide.

First we get a 2"x4"x16feet long 2x4 that will be used as a leger board that will  support the deck boards of the new step. Jerry clears the gravel to allow the leger board to be installed at the right height for the new step..The 2x4 has scrap pieces of 2x6 inch x 24 inch boards that are nailed to the bottom of the leger board, and will rest on the ground to add additional support to the leger and the new step.

Bill makes sure new leger board is in place and ready to be installed.

With the leger board installed and level Bill cuts the new deck boards for the step.

The 2"x6"x16' board is on the ground, and Bill attaches a 4inchx4inch by 8 feet boards which will establish the height of the new step to the ground.The 4x4 will be attached to a 2x6 inch by 16 foot board which will establish the new step height of 6and 1/2 inches plus another 1 and 1/2 inches of the step deck board to equal 8 inch height of the new step to the ground.

Jerry and John nail the 4x4 x 16 feet posts to the 2x6 inchx16 foot board that will lay on the ground.

Next Dan places 4x4 inch by 7 and 1/2 inch posts that will be attached to the leger board on one end and the 4x4x16 foot post on the other end, creating a  13 inch wide x 16 foot long box that will support the new step deck boards.Next to complete the box the mitered corners of the 4x4s will be connected to the mitered  corners of the leger board at each end.

Before the corners are nailed the box must be leveled.

With the step support box leveled the mitered corners are put into place.

John nails off the first corner.

The mitered corners are nailed together and the first step deck board(2x6"x16') is nailed to the leger board and the support box.

Next a 2x8"x16 foot prssure treated board is nailed into place to finish the new step which is 13 inches wide by 16 feet long.

John finishes nailing off the new deck step boards.

John on the left,Jerry and Jay on the right take a moment to rest on the finished shed porch. Next project,the green living roof needs to be planned and installed in the spring.

John and Dan pull up with the green roof panels that will be pre-planeted with various sedum and other drought tolerant plants and installed on the shed roof.  

With the shed complete, as a safety concern, Bill and Dan use small pieces of foam pipe insulation to cover the ends of the pegs used to hold garden tools.The green roof panels are stacked on the right.

THE LIST OF 39 PLANTS BELOW, IS THE FIRST DRAFT OF PLANTS TO BE USED ON THE GREEN ROOF, ON TOP OF THE SHED . CHOOSING THE PLANTS AND THIER HABITS, TO MAKE A SPECIFIC DESIGN WILL BE THE NEXT CHALLENGE. PLANTING IN DRIFTS,RIVERS AND CLUMPS WILL BE CONSIDERED. HEIGHT,TEXTURE,COLOR,FLOWERING TIMES,DROUGHT TOLERANT, INVASIVENESS AND COLD TOLERENCE, WILL ALSO BE CONSIDERED.

No Genus  Species Common  Flr Color Bloom Time Leaf Info

1 Sedum acre white May/June 3 inch/10 inch spread zone 4
2 Sedum acre Aureum yellow May/June
3 Sedum acre Oktoberfest white
4 Sedum album Red Ice year round red leaves all year round
5 Sedum album Chloroticum white may/june white flower/4inch 12 incspread
6 Sedum album Faroe red/white July
7 Sedum album white June
8 Sedum cauticola purple/pink fall
9 Sedum cyaneum Rose Carpet pink/green leaves, low tight mats 3" high
10 Sedum ewersii spring tiny green leaves
11 Sedum floriferum Weihenstephaner Gold yellowMay/June 

12 Sedum kamschaticum yellow June
13 Sedum kamschaticum sichotense yellow/scarlet fall
14 Sedum middendorfianum striatum green/red leaves
15 Sedum oreganum native glossy fat leaves 4" native
16 Sedum pachyclados white May grey blue leaves
17 Sedum populifolium
18 Sedum pulchellum pink/white June
19 Sedum reflexum Blue Spruce june/july yellow4 inch/8inch spread blu grey
20 Sedum reflexum Angelina fall pale green foliage turns orange gold and red
21 Sedum selskianum Spirit yellow green leaves
22 Sedum selskianum variegatum yellow variegated leaves
23 Sedum sexangulare yellow
24 Sedum spurium Summer Glory fusia/white early July
25 Sedum spurium Voodoo red July red leaves all year round
26 Sedum spurium coccineum crimson red/green foliage
27 Sedum spurium Dragon's blood pink late summer/early fall bronze green leaves
28 Sedum spurium John Creech pink early July green leaves
29 Sedum spurium Fuldaglut purplish
30 Sedum spurium tricolor no flowers pink/white/green variegated leaves
31 Sedum tatarowinii white Aug/Sept very unusual
32 Sedum telephium Emperor's Wave no flowers large green leaves
33 Non-Sedum allium schoenoprasum Chives purple May/June
34 Non-Sedum delosperma congestum Ice Plant yellow
35 Non-Sedum delosperma cooperi Ice Plant fuschia Summer
36 Non-Sedum delosperma nubigenum Ice Plant yellow green foliage
37 Non-Sedum orostachys malachophyllum pink early fall
38 Non-Sedum purslane fameflower pink June-Sept
39 Non-Sedum sempervivum sp. Hens & chicks

In Feb. we started propagating sedum, that will be planted on the green roof. They will spend Feb. and March in the greenhouse. In early April they will be re-planted in their 3 foot x 3 foot panels . The panels will be placed in a hoop house until late May.,allowing the sedum to develope a root system that will  insure integrity of the growing medium with the panels,before they are placed on top of the green roof. 

Jim takes time to water the sedum. Anita will be in charge of managing the various plants and seeds in the green house, to insure they are watered and checked for problems.

The hoop house where the sedum will spend April and May needs to be cleared out of last years mums.

Once clear, Susan removes old plastic from  the beds.

Jim left and Dan take the last load from the hoop house,that will go to the compost pile.

The green roof panels will be taken from the shed  and laid out in the hoop house. They will be arranged in the hoop house to fit the shed roof.The shed roof is 16 feet by 16  feet square. The panels interlock with each other.Notice the right edge of the panel, is not covered with the fabric fiber medium that the sedum roots will grow in.The 2 rows of egg like dimpels is used to lock the next panel to it. This interlocking of the panels will create one mass roof panel structure. 

Valarie, John, Dr. Bridgen,Dan and Jerry load the Green roof panels and take them from the shed to the hoop house.

The hoop house has been treated for weeds and a weed barrier cloth is laid out on the ground to furthure surpress  weeds from taking over.The panels are laid out on top the the weed cloth to simulate the 16ftx16 ft shed roof.The plan is to put the growing medium on the panels and pre plant the sedum cuttings for 6 weeks to allow the roots of the sedum to mature before they are planted on top of the shed. The roots will add integrity and will hold together the green roof panels creating a uniform single mass. Well this is the plan! Getting and fitting the 20 odd preplanted green roof panels on top of the  10 foot high shed roof will be a challange.

While the panels are being prepared,John left,Bill,Jerry and Jim discuss how to keep the panels from sliding of the edge of the roof.The have decided to use trek decking boards which are made of vynal(no maintenance). They will need 2 pieces measuring 2x6x inch by 16 feet long, trek boards that will have to be ripped in half giving us 4 pieces 2x3x16feet long that will be attached to the top of the roof against the metal drip edge that frames the shed roof.

John on the left asks Bill to explain how the trek edge boards will be installed and how the overlow of water will be allowed to drain from the roof. Bill explains that they will drill holes through  the edge of the boards and use 8 inch lag bolts to secure the boards to the roof.A 1/2 inch spacer,under each lag bolt will be used to create a weeping space allowing the overflow of rain water to escape.

The trek boards are positioned and measurements for drilling holes for the lag bolts are made.The lag bolts and spacers are shown as the drilling starts.

The lag bolt  shown is upside down. It will be installed from the bottom of the trek board (which once installed will be the top of the trek board)and the  spacer will be glud in place. The spacer will be actually  on the top of the roof. This will bring up the issue of how to keep the hole of the lag bolt into the shed roof water tight? It is decided to use some kind of weather proof chaulk for each lag  bolt to keep the hole water tight.

Bill and Jim start drilling lag bolt holes.

 16 foot long trek boards shown (bottom side up)with spacers glued on bottom, in position of where log bolts will be inserted (from the top)and screwed into the roof.

Left to dry, 2 extra pieces of 3 foot long trek boards are next to the 16 foot boards. The extra lengths will be used to enforce the four corners of the roof edges.

The green roof panels are laid out on the hoop house floor.

Valarie has started some sedum in plastic containers from seed. They will be left to grow in the hoop house before being planted onto the panels.

Dr Mark looks at the green panels before the growing medium is applied.

Dan backs up the dump truck that has a load of the growing medium that will be used on the green roof panels. 

A tarp is laid down for the growing medium to be placed on.  The tarp will be used to keep any extra medium protected from the weather.

Wayne,Ground Keeper at the lab gets ready to dump the growing medium.

Valarie gives Wayne a hand releasing the gate of the dump truck.

The load is dumped on the tarp.It appears to be a gravel base medium.

Wayne, makes sure every last bit is emptied from the truck.

Dan, begins to full some containers that will be spread out onto the green panels.The panels have been laid out

Valarie starts to rake the growing medium on the panels. 2 inches of the growing medium will be spread out evenly.

Dr. Bridgen brings a wheel barrel load and dumps it on the panels.

Jerry spreads out the medium.

Dan and Anita pose for the camera and take a brake from  filling the wheel barrel with the growing medium. 

Dr. Bridgen makes the last wheel barrel load, as Jerry rakes it out.

Dr. Bridgen checks the height of the growing medium as Valarie rakes and levels the growing medium.

Jerry on left Dr. Mark and Valerie look at the panels and comment on the amount of gravel used in the growing medium. The gravel is used for drainage and to weigh the panels down.

Dr. Bridgen center Valarie, Jerry and Dan check the sedum cuttings, that will be planted on the panels in the hoop house, before installing the panels on top of the green roof. They appear to be doing very well. Dr. Bridgen suggests we take new cuttings of these cuttings and move the original cuttings to the hoop house. We need as many sedums as we can get to cover the new green roof.

March24, 2009..Victor,Jerry,Vince and susan take cuttings from the first cuttings that have grown nicely over the last five weeks.

Victor makes sure the pro mix is watered well, before the sedum cuttings are planted.

We now have almost two benches with sedum cuttings.The sedum on the left  will be planted into the hoop house next week. The sedum on the right will need another two or three weeks before it can be re planted onto the green roof panels.

The seeds are in, and Vlarie on the left,tom and anita start to plant them.As an experiment, it is decided to use two different types of soil for the same variety seed. Type one is pro mix brand soiless soil, and the second is a organic compost.

Margaret points out the pro mix on the right of the tray, and the organic compost on the left has the plant makers used to identify the variety planted in the tray.

Anita uses some pro mix in the black colored bag and some of the organic compost in the white bag. The pro mix is on the left side of the tray and the compost is on the right. which medium do you think will grow the best plant?

Bill in the red jacket, looks on as Jim and John fit the first edge piece on th e roof. The edge piece will contain the green roof panels and allow for water drainage from the roof.

Jim starts the first 8 inch bolt with his hammer..

Jim then uses his drill to drive the 8 inch bolt through the edge board and secure it to the roof.

John and Bill lay out the edge boards to see if they are square to the roof.

Before the edge boards are installed, John looks on as Jim applies chaulk to each spacer, which is where the 8 inch bolt will go pass through as it penatrates the roof and secures the edge board to the roof.. The chaulk will keep water from entering the the roofing material and causing a water leak.

First edge board is installed.

One of the edge boards need to be cut by Bill.

Bill, has to cut and add a piece of edge board to fit and  join the last edge board to finish the roof edge.The shed roof is constructed on a slope, so the edge boards can not be installed squarley one of the 16 foot long edge boards has to be extended to connect all the edge boards. .

Jim helps John.

One edge board installed shows the spacers used to create drainage between the roof and the bottom of the edge board. 

Bill passes a small piece of edge board to John that will be used to join the last edge board.

John secures the last edge board to the roof.

March 30, 2009.Dan shovels the last of the  growing medium into wheel barrel to be added to the green roof panels. The growing medium should be about 2-3 inches deep.

The growing medium is raked out to 2-3 inches deep on to the green roof panels.

Dr. Bridgen waters the growing medium before sedum cuttings are planted.

Meanwhile, Dan hands John  a bucket of tar to start a repair of the roof, as Tom looks on. A full sheet of the asphalt roofing blew away durning high winds. New tar must be spread on the roof.

Jim looks on as Dan starts to slowly separate the cut piece of asphalt to be placed on the roof.

Once separated, Dan rolls up the cut piece of roof asphalt that Jim measured to fit the damaged area of the shed roof. 

John finishes spreading the tar out on the shed roof, as Jim and Tomm look on. 

The new piece of asphalt roofing is fit in place. It is crucial to get it right the first time as the tar is very sticky and does not allow for mistakes.

Once the first piece of asphalt roofing is in place Tom adjusts the end piece of the asphalt roofing material as John and Jim make final adjustments.Once the asphalt roofing repair is done, the shed roof is will be ready for the installation of the green roof panels that are pre planted with sedum.

April 5th, Susan and Valarie take the sedum cuttings from the greenhouse and move them to the hoop house, where they will be planted onto the green roof panels.

Susan unloads the sedum into the hoop house. A hoop house is not heated.

Margaret and Valerie bring more sedum cuttings to the hoop house.

With all the sedum unloaded, Susan and Margaret  start to consider how to plant them onto the roof panels. AT first they use plant stakes to mark the size of a panel, which is about 3ftx3ft square, minus the two rows on each edge of the panels that are used to secure the panels together.

Next, we decide that the left side of the panels will represent the bottom of the shed roof and the right side will represent the top of the shed roof. Using the bamboo plant stakes we make a diagonal irregular line on the panels which will represent how the first variety of sedum(angelina) will be planted.

Next we consider the specific design of the shed roof which moves from high at the top and sides to lower on the bottom and sides,which presents a better view from the gardens. Margaret uses a garden hose to form the first layout to be planted with sedum. The final idea is to plant the sedum in free form rivers or drifts diagonally on the roof and to leave the edges of the panels free of plants. Because the roof is fluid some of the panels will have to have their edges cut to fit them squarely on the roof. Once the panels are in place, the edges will be planted with specific species of plants that may hang over the edge, or mabe an annual species that flowers will be used.

Margaret picks up the first sedum and starts to lay them out on the green roof panels.

With the sedum (Angelina) layed out in the first drift/ river form

With all the sedum planted, Jay takes time to water them in.

April 15, Dr. Bridgen on the right reviews the sedum plantings on the green roof panels with Valarie and John. Dr. Bridgen thinks we have enough sedum cuttings to finish the planting which will be installed on the shed roof on May 15. Fertilizing will be done weekly to promote root development. The big question is how will we get the green roof panels up on the roof and duplicate the design that has been created on the ground?

Remenee,  explains to Tom which plants she is planting and where.

May 5, The rain has caused a delay in the outside preperation of installing the green roof panels.But inside the weeds are growing on the green roof panels. Managing weeds is vital before installing the panels on the roof. Next week weather permitting we will go through a dry run of the procedure to get the green panels from the hoop house onto the shed roof. We are going to see what piece of equipment, like a fork lift we can use.

May 2009, the shed roof waits for preplanted panels that have been growing in a hoop house.

Dr. Bridgen kneals down to see how heavy a panel is. Bill on the left John and Ken dicuss and plan how to move the panels safley to the shed roof.

John kneals down to cut off an edge as Bill  looks on. When the panels were laid out they were situated incorrectly. Some were laid out with the straight edge on the side, others on the top which created an installation night mare. The task is to try and install the panels on the shed roof with the design intact.This will be impossible! The original decesion was to plant the panels on the ground or on top of the roof? It was decided to preplant the panels on the ground.

Dr. Bridgen makes a plan with Wayne about how the panels will be moved from the hoop house to the shed roof. Dr. Bridgen's first concern is doing it safely.

First step is to get wood pallets to set the green roof panels on.

Next the plastic on the hoop house must be raised so the bob cut can enter.

It is decided to use plywood panels to hold the green roof panels ridgit so they can be moved. Tagging each panel with a number and orientating each panel in a south direction will insure easy unloading onto the roof.

Panels are loaded ontothe plywood panels. Some of the growing medium is sliding off distorting the plant design.

Green panels are being stacked on top of each other using plywood to separate each panel. They are stacked onto a wood pallet that will be picked up with the bobcat. One row is 5 panels, which will be stacked in reverse order insuring that the top panel will be placed last in the row on top of the roof.

Wayne brings the bobcat and members start to stack the first row to be installed.

Wayne raises the green panels on a skid. First the bobcat can not get the panels high enough to be unloaded. So several pallets must be used to inable the panels to reach the roof and be unloaded.

With   several wood pallets stacked wayne is ready to try again. The pallets make the load a little comberson, but it works fine and the unloading begins. John and Ji wait on the roof for the first green panel.

Wayne raises the first green panel.

John Jim  and Mark unload first pre planted green panel which rests on a piece  plywood. 

Easy to handle the first panel is un loaded.

The green panels will have to be orientat to insure the plant design stays intact.

The plywood panels have to be returned to the hoop house for the next load of green panels.

Dr. Bridgen brings a plywood sheet back to the hoop house.

Using stacked wood panels seems to work well and the green panels are unloading nicely.

John on the left puts the first green panel in place. He has to orientated it to the south to try and keep the design intact.

Wayne looks on for direction and waits for the green panels to be unloaded.

Dr. Bridgen on right makes sure the panels are numbered, tagged and orientated before being stacked on the bob cat.

Dr. Bridgen on right, stacks the last panel in the row on the bobcat.

Mark on right Jim sweeping the soil away as John orientates each green panels  on the roof.The last panel will have to be cut. Each panel interlocks with the next panel. Each edge of each panel has to be orientated to insure a proper installation and the panels are secure on the roof.

Dr. Bridgen takes a look as John finishes the frist row.

Wayne waits for the green panels to be properly orientated to allow for easy unloading on the roof.

Dr. Bridgen gives a hand unloading the green panels.

Plywood is slid out from the bottom of the green panels which has created a runoff  of soil  from the panel disrupting the design.

Green panels are starting to cover the roof. 

Wayne goes back to the hoop house for the last pick up of panels.

The last stack of green panels waits for pick up as Dr. Bridgen and Ken pose for the camera and Dan cleans his eyes. Pat on the left sits on a make shift bench.

Valarie on the left starts to replant some of the pants that were disturbed. John has to cut some of the panels to fit them in place.

The last panel is ready to be installed.

Jim, Mark And John install last green panel.

Ken and Valarie spread out  soil and make some sure the  palnts are securley in place. 

Dr. Bridgen adds soil to the edges of a panel to reduce rain run off.

May 19,2009  after being installed for one week,living roof survives its first  rain storms and now waits for shed dedication.

Dr. Bridgen gives the first guided tour of the green shed to a group of junior gardeners.

Bill takes some photographs before shed dedication and luncheon.

John and Dr. Mark attach ribbon to the shed.

Ken, Dr. Mark and John display plauque that will dedicate the shed to Bill Wolcoff.

The shed is being dedicated today,June 16, 2009.

New arbervite shrubs are installed for the shed dedication.

Sample of the green roof panel is displaced for educational purposes.

A group photograh of The Cornell Gardeners on shed dedication day. 

Most of us don't worry about our plants flying away under the tempest of a helicopter's whirling blades. Philadelphia's PECO headquarter's green roof with helipad isn't your typical garden. Its perennials live in extremes of wind, sun, and heat.

However, its textural, colorful, sculptural sedums -- some blooming white, others yellow or pink -- ARE within our reach for a fascinating, low maintenance, drought-tolerant landscape.

Low-growing sedums don't usually catch my floral-seeking eye. Being up close and personal with nearly 43,000 square feet of thriving showy stonecrop (sedum's common name) gives pause -- and appreciative perspective. En masse, this mingling array of ten sedum varieties is quite beautiful. It's easy to imagine the mix bordering a path, walkway, driveway, or forming a rock garden, or covering a sunny, dry slope.

On a recent June afternoon, The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society hosted a trolley tour featuring PECO's green roof at 23rd and Market along with other Philadelphia Green projects.

Last fall, the stonecrops were planted on the green roof as vegetative mats in 4 inches of gravel and some compost. Newly installed young ornamental grasses and flowers in raised beds haven't yet filled out. Retrofitting this roof portion, which covers mechanical equipment, is one step in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building certification.

From a sustainable, environmental view, green roofs are built primarily to control storm water runoff. The PECO green roof is designed to absorb 60 to 70 percent of approximately 1.5 million gallons of annual rainwater falling on the main office building.

Green roofs can significantly reduce roof temperatures which can lower building heating and cooling costs. Green roof plants absorb air pollutants.

Pink, Red, Rose Foliage/Flowers
This non-irrigated sedum tapestry includes low green and red swirls of Sedum album 'Coral Carpet'. The foliage turns red under stress, and in drought and cold. Its parent Sedum album is a taller (6-inch) green roof staple with white flowers and green leaves that turn red in winter.

Short, blue-green Sedum hispanicum shows blues, pinks, and purples depending on temperature, water, and nutrients.
VISIT THE NATIONAL GARDENERS WEB SITE;http://www.garden.org/home

Dr. Bridgen points to a very unusual plant that is from Chile.The plants is called Pasithea caeruleum. Dr. Bridgen does not know the common name of the plant. Dr. Bridgen will be doing research on this plant.